HE WAS the last to complete the lap of honour, cupping his ears as Goodison Park chanted about Everton being “by far the greatest team” before striding back into the centre-circle one final time to bid farewell.

David Moyes feels thankful and humble for all of the Everton's fans best wishes and support

The choice of song seemed appropriate given the transformation David Moyes has instigated over his stewardship, and the refrain will still be ringing in his ears in the days ahead. This was the Everton he has rejuvenated. Manchester United could wait.

The reaction of Moyes, tears welling in his eyes as he walked around the pitch following victory over West Ham to a heartfelt reception, suggested there was nowhere else he would rather be.

“I am gobsmacked, thankful and humble for what the people have shown me,” said the Everton manager, whose emotions were mirrored by those of loyal chairman Bill Kenwright in the directors’ box.

“What I will miss was what you saw in the middle of the second half. The supporters weren’t cheering David Moyes. They were cheering their football club. That was the toughest part for me.

“The crowd showed how big Everton are and what it means to them.”

Goodison rocked from the 59th minute when Kevin Mirallas scored the second of his two goals, though before then it appeared no one had known how to behave.

The opening song – “Everton, Everton, Everton” – was belted out in defi ance, as if to remind everyone the club will go on after the Scot has taken up residence at Old Trafford on July 1, and only then did Moyes hear his name boom out.

There was humour, “Who the **** are Man United?” which might even have elicited a wry grin from the Scot before his players’ enterprise ensured the smile would stick.

In many respects, it had been a similar day to the one when Moyes first arrived in 2002. Dank and overcast, a sense of anticipation gripped a sold-out stadium as supporters fought to catch a glimpse of their manager who acknowledged them, almost embarrassed, and then left the spotlight to his players to snare a significant victory.

On the field Kevin Mirallas wrapped up a good performance with two goals

What I will miss was what you saw in the middle of the second half. The supporters weren’t cheering David Moyes. They were cheering their football club

David Moyes

But the comparisons must end there. For while Everton were entrenched in a relegation battle when Moyes took over, this win secured sixth place and, for the fi rst time in 76 years, a second successive top-fl ight season lording it over local rivals. Just like Sir Alex Ferguson, Moyes can claim to have knocked Liverpool off their perch.

In doing so, Everton posted their best home record – there has been just one defeat, to Chelsea – since last winning the title in 1987 and if revenge over Rafa Benitez is eked out on Sunday, they will have accumulated their highest points tally in the Premier League.

They are milestones that highlight the progress Moyes has overseen, yet it is the football that now defines Everton .

The way in which the fi rst goal after six minutes was conceived, instinctive passes from players signed for fees that would be far exceeded on the open market these days, was a neat summary of how his reign has grown.

Leighton Baines forged down the left, cutting inside the covering Jack Collison and transferring the ball back to Marouane Fellaini. He shuttled it onto Steven Pienaar and then Mirallas, whose fi nish was composed from the edge of the box.

His second goal looped beyond goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen’s grasp after Tim Howard had launched a counterattack after 59 minutes.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, fresh from signing his new two-year deal, can be happy with the season and will not mind too much that their display smacked of end-of-term.

There was a goodbye from Phil Neville, who is due to leave Everton in the summer though may yet feature in the new regime, but the day belonged to Moyes.

If he is stepping into big shoes, then he leaves a colossal pair behind.